I’ve been soliciting your photos left and right. Bellies, bellies, everywhere. A project, a campaign, a movement brewing. Still in the seed stages and planted with love and light, but where in this mix of excitement is my belly? In spearheading this project I need to step forward and show my truth, my softness and my vulnerability.

I’ve spent several days putting this off. My belly just didn’t feel right. Anxiety, a stomach ache, happiness, any emotion basically rendered my belly unsuitable for photos. I knew that once I figured out the self-timer on my camera and clicked away I would have to face the pictures. I know I would start to pick myself apart and no matter the feeling that was present when the picture was taken I was sure it would dissipate as soon as I looked. Maybe it wouldn’t be body shape or size; maybe I wouldn’t like my skin tone, my moles, or maybe I would be able to see some hair on my skin. In addition to being fat-less we are supposed to be hairless humans right? Never-mind that we indeed are mammals.

I took my belly pictures two days ago. As anticipated all the above happened when I looked. I stared and I judged myself, something I don’t do with any of the pictures that I am receiving. I look at all those and see their beauty and their uniqueness. If I am really am going to put this part of myself out there then it needs to look perfect, right?

My Photoshop application beckoned to me. I thought of all the functions I could use to change my reality or maybe I could just take these pictures another day. The lighting wasn’t right, maybe I would look better after yoga or a workout.

No. I can’t.

Reality is what I’m after and reality is what I present. Take it or leave it.

Paste. Grimace.

Post. Done.

Breathe

This is after all yoga right?

Will you join me in The Real Body Project? Send me your reality and your story. In addition I’m also in search of a web designer. Please contact me as well if this is something you want to be passionate about and a big part of. Send all photos and the like to hannah.siegle[at]gmail.com

About Hannah Siegle

Hannah Siegle began to do yoga four years ago initially for the physical practice, however she quickly discovered that the yoga began to do her in ways she never anticipated. The mind, body and spiritual connection that yoga cultivates has helped Hannah through the ups and downs of life, both large and small. She regularly blogs at Balancing on Two Feet on topics such as yoga, mindfulness, eating disorder recovery and all those things people don't like to talk about. She was trained at the RYT 200 through Laurel Hodory and is currently working towards becoming a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist. She teaches yoga throughout Central Ohio with GoYoga ,yogaServe, and also works as an Assistant Editor for the elephant journal!

Hi there – I am wanting to read the articles about the belly project, but it's telling me I need to pay for a subscription. Is this correct, or is this a free blog and I am just mistaken and having issues viewing?
Thanks,
Rhonda

Hi Rhonda: we offer two free articles a day! You can also sign up for our newsletter which offers free articles. That said, subscription is $1 a month! Here is the newsletter link: http://www.elephantjournal.com/join-the-cause/. ~ Bryonie